Re-usable pallet bin



Dec. 12, 195o DE MOINE H. FRYE 2,534,010

REUSABLE PALLET BIN Filed April 26, 1946 Patented Dec. 12, 1950 BE-USABLE PALLET BIN De Moine E. Frye, Detroit, Mich., assigner to Leslie T. Swallow, Detroit, Mich.

Application April 26, 1943, Serial No. 665,213

3 Claims. (Cl. 229-23) The invention relates broadly to new and useful improvements in reusable shipping and storage cartons or bins of berboard or the like.

When shipping small highly finished articles. it is conventional practice to pack a number of them in small cartons so that they are not damaged by jostling or handling. As a result, a large number of cartons usually is required for each carload shipment. It is desirable that these cartons be rugged in construction so that they can be used repeatedly, and it is also desirable that they be light in weight, since the shipper must pay freight charges on them as well as on the articles. Heretofore, cartons have been made both of wood and of cardboard. The Wooden cartons are strong and durable in construction and consequently can be used over and over again; however, they are relatively expensive to manufacture and their relatively great weight makes shipping charges excessive. On the other hand, the cardboard cartons are relatively inexpensive to manufacture and are light in weight so that shipping costs are reduced to a minimum; however, they are easily torn and are quickly rendered unsuitable for use by ordinary abuse and handling during shipment. Usually they are used once and then discarded.

Another disadvantage of the conventional wooden carton arises in cases where a manufacturer of small parts ships them to an assembly plant consignee. The consignee must unpack the articles as soon as they arrive in order to permit immediate return of the cartons. This involves a great deal of unnecessary labor, since unpacking requires individual handling of the articles. Furthermore. the articles must all be handled again when they are used.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a cardboard carton that is light in weight, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and strong and durable in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cardboard carton wherein the bottom is raised from the supporting surface andis not readily affected by moisture.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a carton of the above-mentioned character in which the parts are readily foldable or collapsible into compact bundles for return shipment.

Yet another object'oi the invention is to provide a cardboard carton which comprises separate interlocking sections uniquely constructed and associated so that a plurality of them can 2 be stacked together to provide a multilayered shipping and storage bin.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shipping and storage bin having similar sections which are interchangeable and can be individually replaced from time to time as required.4

A still further object of the invention is to provide a shipping and storage bin in which the various layers can be formed progressively as the articles are packed therein.

A yet further object of the invention. is to provide a shipping and storage bin inwhich the sections can be progressively disassembled and folded for return shipment as the articles 'are unpacked.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shipping and storage carton that is adapted to retain the articles from the time they are packed for shipment until such time as they are required for use, thus eliminating separate unpacking operations and multiple handling of the individual articles by the consignee.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawing forming a part of this specication and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a. perspective view showing carton sections stacked together to provide a fourlayered storage bin;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the different sections of an individual carton; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

The carton embodying the instant invention is made in sections and in its preferred form comprises a supporting base lll, a bottom l2, a frame Il, a divider Ii, and a cover I8 (Fig. 2). The base l0 preferably is made of wood, and the other sections of lthe carton preferably are made of ilberboard or the like. In this connection it should be noted that the term "liberboard" is here employed to designate any conventional, relatively stiff and foldable Ibrous sheet material such as cardboard, corrugated cardboard, pasteboard, and the like.

When the sections are assembled, the bottom I2 is supported by the base Ill and in turn supports the frame Il. Divider I6, which fits snugly within the frame I4 and is supported by the bottom i2, holds the former expanded and divides it into relatively small compartments. Cover Il fits snugly over the frame Ill. The

3- Y assembled sectionsmay be held together in any desired manner, as by metal bands 26 shown in Fig. 1.

'I'he only function of base I8 is to provide a firm surface for the bottom I2 and to support the assembled sections of the carton. In this connection it will be observed that the base III is substantially the same size and shape in plan as the bottom I2 so that it supports the latter solidly over its entire area. In order to facilitate handling, the base preferably is formed so that it can be picked up from below, and, if holding bands 20 are employed, it preferably is made with an open structure so that the bands can be wrapped around the carton sections without lifting or tipping the assembly. The base here shown is admirably suited for this purpose and comprises spaced parallel joists or runners 22 fasgened together by a plurality of transverse slats 4.

The bottom I2 comprises a flat sheet of nberboard 26provided at its edges with flanges 28. These flanges 28 are separate from each other and are formed by fashioning the marginal portions of sheet 26 into i'iat loops and then fastening the opposite sides of the loops together. In the form of the invention here shown by way of illustration the loops are shown stitched together by a heavy thread; however, it is contemplated that any suitable fastening means such as staples or rivets be employed for this purpose. It will be observed that each of the flanges 28 has an upstanding rim 86 and a depending lip 32 and is integrally attached to the sheet 26 along a fold line here designated generally by the numeral 34.

When the bottom I2 is assembled in the carton, flanges 28 occupy positions normal to the plane of sheet 26 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 so that the depending lip portions 82 overlie and fit snugly against the base I0. 'Ihe latter holds the lip portions 32 raised from the supporting surface so that they are not required to sustain the weight of articles in the carton, and the lip portions hold the bottom I2 solidly associated with the base. However, since the flanges 28 are formed separately from each other, they can be readily folded flatly against the sheet 26 for return shipment when the bottom I2 is removed from the base I Il. In this connection the most compact arrangement is obtained by folding one Vpair of opposed flanges 28 under 'the sheet 26 and the opposite pair of opposed flanges on top of the sheet. When the flanges 28 are folded in this manner, either the rim portions 28 or the lip portions 82 extend beyond the sheet 26, but, since the flanges lie flatly against the sheet, a large number of the bottom members I2 can be stocked together to form a compact bundle.

'Ihe frame member I4 comprises vertical walls 86 which may be integrally connected, as at 88, or flanged and glued or otherwise attached together. as at 48.

When the frame I4 is assembled in the carton the walls 86 are expanded as shown in Fig. 2 and rest on the bottom sheet 26 behind the upstanding rim portions 88. Thus, the frame I4 interlocks with the bottom I2, and the walls 86 are held solidly by the rim `portions 36 against independent lateral movement.

The frame construction is such that it also can be reduced to a compact packet for return shipment when disassembled from the carton. It will be observed that one pair of opposite walls 36 are formed at substantially their middle with ver:

tical creases or fold lines 42. By reason of this arrangement, these walls can be folded inwardly and the frame collapsed by pressing the uncreased walls together.

The divider I6 comprises right angularly disposed partitions 44 and 46 which are suitably notched so that they interflt, as shown in Fig. 2. The divider I6 fits in the frame I4 and rests upon the bottom sheet 26. When the divider I6 is thus positioned, partitions 44 and 46 divide the frame I4 into four relatively smaller compartments and abut walls 36 to hold the latter expanded and against the upstanding rim portions When removed from Athe frame I4 the divider I6 also can be collapsed to provide a compact packet for return shipment. This is done either by separating the partitions 44 and 46 and laying them atly against each other or by folding the partitions while still interfltted so that they lie flatly together.

Although two partitions 44 and 46 are here shown, it is to be understood that the divider I6 may comprise any-desired number of partitions. As a practical proposition the number of partitions employed in any particular instance will vary according to the size of the carton and the number of compartments desired in the frame I4.

The cover I8 comprises a flat, substantially square sheet 48 of ilberboard provided at each edge thereof with a separate ange 50. These flanges 50 are formed by bending the berboard sheet from which the cover is made to provide fold lines 52 along the edges of the central portion 48, and each marginal portion extending from a fold line is bent back upon itself and stitched or otherwise fastened as at 54.

When the cover I8 is assembled on the carton the central portion 48 rests upon the upper edges of the frame I4 and divider I6 and the flanges 58 overlie and are held snugly against the walls 86 by bands 20.

On the other hand, when the cover I8 is disassembled, it may be flattened for return shipment either by spreading the anges 50 so that they lie in the same plane as the central portion 48 or by folding the flanges inwardly against the central portion. If the latter alternative is adopted, one pairof opposed flanges preferably is folded under and the other pair over the central portion 48 to avoid overlapping at the corners. y

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that the carton is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and can be used for shipping any small article. The various sections are light in weight and maintain shipping costs at a minimum. In fact, shipping costs areno higher when the instant carton is used than when conventional cardboard cartons are employed and are much less than when wooden cartons are used. Moreover, the sections are easily assembled or disassembled. and, after the articles are removed, they can be readily collapsed or folded and stacked together to form compactl bundles for return shipment. In practice, the bottom members I2 are stacked with the covers I8 andthe frames I4 are stacked with the dividers I6, as these parts are similar in size and shape when collapsed.

Important advantages are achieved over the conventional cardboard cartons by making the various sections separate and separable from each s other. For example. it is possible for the consignor to use the sections repeatedly as long as they are undamaged, and, if one section is torn or otherwise becomes unfit for use, it can be replaced without discarding the other parts of the carton. It is contemplated that the consigner maintain a reserve stock of the sections so that they can be easily and quickly replaced whenever necessary. Moreover, since the corresponding parts of the various cartons are identical and interchangeable, it is not necessary to maintain the parts of each carton separate from the parts of other cartons when they are returned to the shipper.

Another and primary advantage of the instant construction is that a plurality of the carton sections can be stacked together to provide a multilayered bin, as shown in Fig. 1. Assembling the parts in this manner achieves a further reduction in weight and a consequential reduction in shipping expense, eliminates unpacking and separate handling of cartons and facilitates shipment, transportation and storage of the articles. For example, when articles are shipped in the bin from a parts manufacturer to an assembly plant consignee, they can be stored in the bins. Then when the articles are to be used, the bins are moved to the assembly line, covers i8 are removed, and the various sections disassembled and folded or collapsed for return shipment as each successive frame is emptied.

To assemble the parts as shown in Fig. l, one of the cartons is assembled on a base I and without the cover i8 in the manner hereinabove described. Other cartons are then assembled in the same manner on top of the first carton. When the desired number of the cartons have been stacked one upon the other and a cover I8 has been placed on top of the uppermost frame i4, the straps 2li are applied and secured in the conventionai manner. Q

It will be observed that when the sections are assembled in this manner, the lower 11D portion 32 of each bottom member i2 above the lowermost member overlies and interlocks with a frame i4 to hold all of the sections against relative lateral movement. When the straps 20 ave been drawn tightly around the bin the assembled sections are held solidly together to provide a relatively strong and rigid structure. Since bottom flanges 28 and cover flanges 50 provide double thicknesses of berboard at the upper and lower corners and at spaced points along the sides of the bin, they form buffers or fenders which prevent the straps from cutting into the carton.

Also the double thickness of the iianges makes them relatively rigid so that they substantially stiffen and reinforce the bin.

It will be apparent that under certain conditions, for example, in the case of relatively small cartons or bins, the divider I6 can be omitted from the assembly. When this is done, the articles packed in the frames I4 hold walls 36 expanded and against the surrounding flanges 28.

Also, under certain conditions the base members I0 may be omitted and the carton or bin supf ported entirely by the depending lip portions 32 of the lowermost bottom member I2. It will be observed that when the base is omitted the lip portions 32 hold the bottom of the carton or bin raised from the supporting surface and protect it from dampness. Manifestly, however, this arrangement is feasible only when the load is relatively light, since it is not desirable to break down the lip portions.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

l. A shipping and storage bin comprising a rigid base member having a plurality of separate bottom and frame members of foldable berboard sheet material stacked thereon, the margin portions of each bottom member being bent along fold lines and the portions extending beyond said fold lines fashioned into two iiat loops extending in a single plane with one loop on one side and the other loop on the other side of the bottom, the sides of each loop being fastened together and the loops forming relatively rigid iianges adapted to overlie and retain the members thereabove and therebelow, the flanges extending along each side of each bottom member being separate from flanges on adjacent sides thereof and adapted to be positioned at right angles to the bottom or folded flatly and compactly against the bottom. each frame member consisting of upright walls fastened together and adapted to t snugly behind the anges of the bottom members and to be collapsed compactly together.

2. In a shipping and storage bin, separate bottom and frame members of foldable berboard sheet material, the marginal portions of each bottom member being bent along fold lines and the portion extending beyond each of said fold lines being fashioned into two :dat loops extending in a single plane with one loop on one side of the bottom and the other loop on the other side of the bottom, the sides of the loops being fastened together and said loops forming relatively rigid iianges, the flanges at each marginal edge of the bottom being separate from the flanges at the other marginal edges of the bottom and said flanges adapted to be positioned at right angles to the bottom or folded iiatly and compactly against the bottom, each frame member consisting of four walls fastened together and adapted to fit snugly behind the flanges of a bottom member and to be collapsed compactly together, the arrangement being such that a plurality of said bottom and frame members can be stacked alternately and when so stacked said walls seat edgewise against the bottom members behind the opstanding flange portions of said bottom members, the depending flange portions of said bottom members overlapping and surrounding the subjacent frame members to denne a relatively rigid multilayered shipping and storage bin, whereby the various bottom and frame members in the bin are interchangeable so that the individual 'members can be replaced when necessary or desirable to maintain a complete bin structure.

3. In a shipping and storage bin, the subcomf bination comprising an individual bottom member of foldable iiberboard sheet material, the

y marginal portions of said bottom member being l the anges on adjacent sides of the bottom and Number all of said flanges adapted to be positioned at 1,063,845 right angles to the bottom or folded flatly and 1,092,682 compactly against the bottom. 1,120,203 DE MOINE H. FRYE. 5 1,497,610 1,767,629 REFERENCES CITED 1,818,320 The following references are of record in the 1.922560 fue of this patent: lo gggg; UNITED STATES PA'I'ENTS 2,448,679 Number Name Date 598,757 Amsinck Feb. 8. 1893 095,201 Ferres Mar. 11, 1902 Number 901,476 Richter oct. 20, 190s 15 202.503 925,349 Kraetsch June 15, 1909 854,876

Name Date Weiss June 3, 1913 Weber Apr. 7, 1914 Judklns Dec. 8, 1914 Surmann June 10, 1924 Walter June 24, 1930 Gorsuch Aug. 11, 1931 Sullivan Aug. 15, 1933 Wickersham Aug. 21, 1934 Fleischer Mar. 16, 1937 Melnhardt Sept. 7, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Aug. 23, 1923 France Jan. 29, 1940 

